Copa Airlines begins service between Denver and Panama City, supporting the growing relationship between the two cities

The mayors of Denver and Panama City welcomed closer cultural, tourism, and trade ties between their cities, signing a memorandum of understanding to become “sister cities”

Beginning on December 11, Copa Airlines will offer direct service between Denver and the Hub of the Americas in Panama City; from there, passengers will be able to reach more than 55 destinations in Central and South America

Because Denver International Airport is a United hub, passengers traveling from Panama will now be able to reach 44 more cities in the United States not served by Copa Airlines, plus three in Canada

Panama City, June 28, 2017

Copa Airlines, a subsidiary of Copa Holdings, S.A. {NYSE: CPA} and a member of the Star Alliance global network, held a press conference following the announcement of its new direct service between Denver and Panama City. At the event, the two cities’ mayors, Michael B. Hancock and José Isabel Blandón, respectively, signed a memorandum of understanding with the intent to become “sister cities.” By signing this agreement, the two mayors expressed their interest in forming exploratory committees to create partnerships aimed at promoting and strengthening key areas, such as tourism and economic development, educational and cultural exchanges, local development, and more.

“Copa Airlines is very proud to be able to bring these two important cities closer together, because it illustrates the benefits that air connectivity provides. Not only that, it will also open up a world of opportunities for strengthening the ties between these two countries in terms of tourism and trade, because both of these cities are development hubs for business and tourism, in addition to being important hubs for air travel. So, because Denver is a United hub, travelers from Panama will be able to connect to 44 more cities in the United States and three Canada, representing even greater opportunities for our country,” said Copa Airlines CEO Pedro Heilbron.

Panama City mayor José Isabel Blandón said that for his city, becoming “sister cities” with Denver “represents our intention to make the most of our opportunities and increase the involvement of our cities, by developing and enhancing our strengths in the areas of culture, tourism, educational exchanges, local development, and more.”

Mayor Blandón added that the signing of the memorandum of understanding “is an expression both parties’ intent and a confirmation of our willingness to undertake joint efforts. For us as mayors, it also opens up new possibilities for maintaining a direct dialog and sharing the challenges that come with the growth and development of our cities. We firmly believe in continuing to create new ties of friendship and cooperation between our cities, and in having a broad, shared vision for enhancing the well-being of all our citizens.”

Denver mayor Michael B. Hancock said that “New air service continues to drive economic activity and create new jobs in Denver.” He also added, “Copa’s new service to Panama City will further strengthen Denver as a global destination for commerce, trade, and culture.”

Denver is the state capital of Colorado, and the Denver metropolitan area has a population of more than three million people. Denver International Airport is one of the world’s biggest airports, with an area of 53 square miles, and it is also the sixth busiest airport in the United States. Denver is known as the “Mile High City,” thanks to its elevation above sea level. Colorado is world-renowned for boasting the best skiing in the United States, and for being home to 26 resorts offering year-round recreational opportunities. Colorado also has four national parks, including Rocky Mountain National Park just 90 minutes from Denver. Both Denver and the state of Colorado as a whole offer a wide variety of tourist attractions throughout the year, thanks to their dry, sunny, temperate climate.

The new flights between Denver and Panama City are timed to offer convenient connections to United flights serving cities throughout the United States, including Albuquerque, New Mexico; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Omaha, Nebraska; Seattle, Washington; and Phoenix, Arizona. Passengers traveling to the Hub of the Americas in Panama City will be able to connect to destinations across Latin America, including San Jose, Costa Rica; Lima, Peru; Bogota, Medellin, and Cali, Colombia; Santiago, Chile; Guatemala City, Guatemala; eight cities in Brazil, including São Paulo; and more.

Copa Airlines flight CM 476 will initially operate four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, departing from the Hub of the Americas in Panama City at 11:50 a.m. and arriving in Denver at 4:12 p.m. The return flight, CM 477, will depart from Denver at 10:30 p.m. on the same days, arriving in Panama City at 6:05 a.m. the following day. The flight will be operated with a Boeing 737-800 Next Generation boasting a premium configuration, with seating for 16 passengers in business class and 138 passengers in the main cabin.

Copa Airlines will begin service to Denver, its 13th destination in the United States, on December 11. This step firmly establishes Copa as a leading airline in the Americas and expands its extensive route network to include 75 cities in 31 countries across North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean.

The United States ambassador to Panama was in attendance at the event, as were representatives of Denver International Airport, the Denver Office of Air Services, the Denver City Council, the Denver Police Department, and the Denver Tourism Office, to name only some of the national and state officials and agencies represented at the event. Panama, in turn, was represented by Panama City mayor José Isabel Blandón, and by the general manager of Tocumen International Airport, Carlos Duboy. Both of them were in attendance at this event to welcome even closer ties between these two cities.